Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2004 21:40:38 -0700
Reply-To: BenT <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: BenT <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: jack, costs
In-Reply-To: <417012CB.3840.B2B998@localhost>
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Jack,
Things don't always read like they are cooked up to be. Read the
thread from beginning. That's the best way to clarify my point.
Example: How would like to be called "MiniVanBoi" from "Minivanland"?
I don't anyone calling my Vanaagon a minivan or SUV. Calling the place
where the Great Wall is "Chinaland" is just like someone calling the
person "Chinam--) if oyu know what I mean. I know the author from the
List so I am quite aware that he does not have any mailcious intent by
his remark. I am not offended by what he said. however, I feel it was
not the best way to inject humor into this statement. Just my opinion.
I am mildly aware that Friday subjects a bit off the beaten path.
Technically, they are still supposed to be Vanagon related though not
necessarily technical. But who's counting. Example: Mike Miller moved
to Marin County and bought a BMW M3 because the women in Sacramento
have wised up to him and his portable hotel... err. .. Westy. Off
topic but still Vanagon related.
GG writes: << I have a similar view of the Chinese in that I think
they should stick with what they know the best -- bamboo. ... >>
Come one... can't you do better?
Jeff Schwaia, thanks for translating my point to those who aren't from
Sacramento & Rancho Cordova. Or at least used to be from there like
Miguel Miller.
.
Jack, I did not say the Japanese imported Arasaki's and Zeros to the
US, did I? Read. Read. Read. Pmail me if you are still scratching your
head. I'll try to explain my broke-ted Engarish. And yes, I too have
seen WW2 era equipment. Probabaly more than the typical US sixty
cents.
As for quality -- Duran? You mean Duran Duran is having a re-union
concert in Japan? I always thought it was E.W. Deming who was credited
with post-war Japanese QC. I believe that is why they have a something
called the Deming Prize that is awarded to companies who excel in
quality control. What do I know? I only watch Hollywood movies on the
Herstory Chunnel. 14 points to those who get the right answer to this.
Ciao Mein,
BenT
.
<<<<<<<<<<<
Jack's sezzzz:
On Fri, 15 Oct 2004 18:11:23 -0800, Jack <john.cook58@verizon.net> wrote:
> While I respect your concern regarding "subtle racial references", I think
> you're mistaken. There's nothing racial about a concern about the sometimes
> crappy quality which comes from (your choice of country), although I agree
> that terminology is sometimes unfortunate.
>
> I think your accuracy needs some attention, too. The statement, "myth of
> poor Japanese quality was perpetrated by the Defense Department" is
> incorrect. I'm curious where you picked up that piece of mythology. I
> don't remember the DOD ever telling me how junky the stuff was; not
> necessary, I saw it with my own eyes.
>
> And my Swiss knives were made in Switzerland although I made the mistake of
> buying a cheap copy once, made in China. The steel will not hold an edge so
> it sits in a drawer as a reminder that buying cheap doesn't pay.
>
> The Japanese didn't import "Arasaki rifles and Mitsubishi Zeros" into the
> U.S. unless you want to count Pearl Harbor. The big problems with quality
> involved imports during the years right after the war. Most of the stuff
> was junk. Cheap. But junk. Yes, there are reasons why that was but it's
> another subject.
>
> Also another subject, but it was an American who went over and helped the
> Japanese get their quality under control. Unfortunately, Duran wasn't able
> to do the same with American industry. The rest is history. If imports
> from China follow the same pattern, I'd expect the the quality to gradually
> improve as they lock down the markets. Probably already happening.
>
> My point: We're discussing quality. Don't read something else into it.
>
> You may be unaware that there is a tradition on the list to diverge from
> pure Vanagon discussion on Fridays. This is Friday.
>
> Your English is fine, probably better than mine.
>
> //Jack
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